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Kotaku East
When Russian Hotels Have Anime Walls
The Red Stars Hotel is one of St. Petersburg’s more unusual lodges. Unusual in that its walls are not only covered in graffiti, but graffiti inspired by various countries, including the UK, the US, Brazil, and…Japan. If you’ve ever been to Japan, you’ll know that, yes, there is graffiti in Japan. Though, I’ve never seen…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 28, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Neglected Regions Carve Out Their Own Home in The Old Republic
When Star Wars: The Old Republic launched last December across Europe and America, players on the other side of the world were told they would have to wait until some time in the indeterminate future before they would be allowed to join Bioware’s first MMORPG. But gamers—not to mention Star Wars fans—are a determined lot.…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published February 28, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Three Women Got the Same Plastic Surgery. Wait, What?
You know in video games, how you see the same enemy characters over and over and over again. Real life isn’t like that. Even if people are dressed in similar outfits, people look different. Except these three ladies. Japanese blogs have dug up this photo from Chinese site TT.Mop, even going as far as saying…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 28, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Saluting Japan’s Computer Graphics Pioneers
There was a revolution in the 1980s. It started in the military and the space industry, but it didn’t use rockets or weapons. Instead, it used computers and floppy disks. The revolution was the proliferation of computer graphics, and it soon spread to entertainment. “Japanese institutions were just as avid as its American and European…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 28, 2012 -
Kotaku East
For the PS Vita, It’s a Long Hard Road Back to China
The Playstation Vita was released last week in the US and while Sony hasn’t released sales numbers for any region other than Japan, it is evident that China’s “gray market” dealers are stocking up on Vita systems, games and accessories. One vendor Kotaku spoke with in Beijing recommended the Vita over the 3DS and suggested…
By Eric Jou Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
This Fruit Costs Twelve Bucks. Just This.
In Japan, “omimai” (お見舞い) is when you visit folks in the hospital. My mother-in-law broke her back, so we’ve been several times. But it’s not only family members—like elsewhere, friends and extended family visit, too. My brother-in-law’s company sent a huge dekopon fruit basket, as well as cookies and cakes. My mother-in-law then divided up…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Now You Can Get Lost in the Sky
On Feb. 27th, Atlas opened its official site for the upcoming 3DS game, Etrian Odyssey IV Denshou no Kyosin (Collosus of Tradition). The website currently has an introductory page, character page, and a systems page—all of which will be further updated soon. Along with the series’ original system of mapping your own route to explore…
By Toshitaka Tachibana Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Xbox Booth Babes Bundled Up with Scarfs and Sweaters
Say what you want about Xbox Japan—how it struggles and has a rough time—but one thing it does better than any other Japanese operation is dress its event companions. It’s not that Xbox event companions wear super revealing outfits, but rather, that they wear sensible outfits they feel comfortable in. That, as Xbox Japan told…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
The Three Biggest Gaming Companies You’ve Never Heard Of!
The Big Three, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are names that almost every gamer recognizes. However, in China there are three companies that are just as big as those, and you probably have never heard of them before. Tencent, NetEase, and Shanda, three major Chinese companies that are expanding their reach beyond China. Combined, they capture…
By Eric Jou Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku EastUnboxing Nerdy Stuff. In the Bathtub.
In my day, I’ve seen loads of unboxing videos—you know, those clips in which people remove products from, well, their boxes. I thought the strangest one I’d ever see depicted shirtless fat men unboxing Skyrim. I was wrong. This is YouTube user Nervli (aka Melonpan). He unboxes otaku stuff in this bathtub. However, I worry…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
An Elevator TO SPACE
If you thought you were going to have to wait until 2307 for Gundam 00 style space elevators, good news! You might only have to wait until 2050. That is, if a Tokyo-based company gets its way. Obayashi Corp. hopes to construct an operational elevator, able to whisk passengers 36,000km above Earth. According to the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
How One Photographer Conquered Chinese Cosplay
A few weeks ago Kotaku showed you some cosplay photos from photographer Mengjie Luan. Meng, a 29 year-old web editor, has been snapping off pictures of Chinese cosplayers over the last 5 years. Meng sat down with me last week to show off some of his photos and to talk about the Chinese cosplay community.…
By Eric Jou Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Mass Effect Explained with Cute Schoolgirls
As far as space operas go, Mass Effect‘s storyline isn’t *that* hard to follow. But if you are a latecomer to the series, you might need a primer. So what better way than with Asari schoolgirls wearing sailor uniforms? Japan’s Dengeki Online is serializing the manga, which is titled “Teach me! Professor Mordin!”. Drawn by…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Unusual Anime Promises Unusual PSP Game
Bakemonogatari, the famous anime series based on novels by Nishio Ishin, will have its own PSP game, Bakemonogatari Portable, released in Japan this August. There’s a limited edition version with its own PSP case, a DVD and CD with bonus content, and a special booklet with gaming info. Aiming to keep the anime series’ unique…
By Toshitaka Tachibana Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Fake iPhone Gas Stoves Seized in China
Apple makes a lot of different things, such as laptops, displays, and phones. It does not make gas stoves—regardless if the Apple logo and iPhone brand seem to indicate otherwise. I know better, you know better, and the Chinese government knows better. On Feb. 23 in Wuhan, authorities raided a warehouse with stacks of green…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Crazy Dude Tearing Off Women’s Underpants
There is a stream of reports of women having their underwear forcibly torn off of them. No, this isn’t Akiba’s Trip. This is real—and frightening. According to Nippon TV, a man called out to his victims as they minded their own business, walking down the street. Then suddenly, he forcibly lifted their skirts, peeled off…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
This Metal Gear Cosplay Is Direct-Action, Bananas
Omi Gibson isn’t called the queen of Metal Gear cosplay for nothing. It’s because, you know, she is. Check out her latest effort from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, complete with Direct-Action Suit and banana. The costume work on display is, per usual, amazing. Check out more pics the gallery above. MSF女子兵士 （ZERO ver ）/…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012